In this episode of Commerce and Chill, Jessica and Waleed discuss the process of business expansion and offer advice about how and when new business owners should expand their businesses. They also offer tips on managing growth internally and a few interesting statistics about small business growth in the U.S. Tune in  for a lesson on growth! It might just expand your mind!

► Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Preview 

01:08 - What does growing a business mean to Waleed

04:02 - Growth when we talk about The Soap Box

05:13 - How do successful businesses grow? 

07:49 - Does expansion mean success? 

09:21 - Can you expand too much?

13:23 - Can you expand too fast?

16:57 - Jessica’s recommendation 

► Listen to the full session on the Commerce and Chill podcast: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast... 

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/commerceandchill

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Website: www.commerceandchill.com/

In this episode of Commerce and Chill, Jessica and Waleed discuss the many advantages of niching down in business.

► Episode Highlights:  

00:00 - Preview 

00:59 -  Definition of Niche 

02:50 - Niching Down in the Real Estate Business 

09:00 - Is a Niche Necessary to Be Successful? 

14:30 - The Soap Box's Example 

21:59 - Finding Your Niche 

24:46 - 5 Advantages of Having a Niche 

25:31 - 4 tips on how to promote your business 

27:50 - Closing thoughts

► Listen to the full session on the Commerce and Chill podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast...   

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/commerceandchill 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/commerceandchill 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/commerceandchill/ 

Website: www.commerceandchill.com/

Waleed and Jessica will talk about how they market themselves and their businesses.

► Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Preview

01:15 - Waleed's Definition of Sales

02:07 - Etymology of the week

04:51 - How To Get More Attention For Your Business

07:52 - Recommended free services

19:08 - Johnson Security CBS News Story

22:15 - Matt Johnson shoutout

25:31 - 4 tips on how to promote your business

► Listen to the full session on the Commerce and Chill podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/commerce-chill/id1496451217

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/commerceandchill

Facebook: www.facebook.com/commerceandchill

Instagram: www.instagram.com/commerceandchill/

Website: www.commerceandchill.com/

In this episode of Commerce and Chill, Jessica and Waleed discuss the different types of business fraud, provide examples of fraud impacting their own businesses, and offer advice for business owners and operators who may be dealing with cases of fraud personally or in business. The pair also provide actionable steps to remedy issues arising from fraudulent claims and explain who to contact when doing so. Don't cheat yourself... tune in! You may learn a thing or two!

► Episode Highlights:

EP 68

00:00 - Preview 

00:25 - COVID Unemployment Fraud 

03:14 - What Kind Of Fraud Do You Experience In Business? 

04:40 - WNYC Story 

07:14 - Victims Of Unemployment Fraud 

09:49 - What Is The Unemployment System?

14:50 - How We Protected Our Businesses From Unemployment Fraud

27:15 - Closing Thoughts 

28:22 -  Email Us To Be A Guest On Our Show: [email protected] 

► Listen to the full session on the Commerce and Chill podcast: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/commerce-chill/id1496451217 

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► Follow Us Online Here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/commerceandchill

Facebook: www.facebook.com/commerceandchill

Instagram: www.instagram.com/commerceandchill/

Website: www.commerceandchill.com/

In this episode of Commerce and Chill, Jessica and Waleed discuss the concept of supply and demand, and explain when and why a business may need to carefully balance the demand they generate for their business. As owners of primarily service-based businesses, they discuss how to evaluate the "supply" side of a service-based business and how to keep track of and maintain a steady and achievable amount of demand. Tune in to this episode and if you truly enjoy it, feel free to demand more!

► Episode Highlights:

EP 67

00:00 - Preview

00: 42 - How To Manage Demand When It Exceeds Your Supply

02:34 - The Demand For The Soap Box

07:33 - What Is Supply And Demand?

10:13 - Is There A Time When Business Is Busier At The Soap Box?

14:02 - 6 Tips On How To Manage Supply When Demand Is High

25:51 - Jessica’s Final Thoughts

27:15 - Waleed’s Final Thoughts 

28:27 -  Email Us To Be A Guest On Our Show: [email protected] 

► Listen to the full session on the Commerce and Chill podcast: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/commerce-chill/id1496451217 

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/commerceandchill

Facebook: www.facebook.com/commerceandchill

Instagram: www.instagram.com/commerceandchill/

Website: www.commerceandchill.com/

In this episode of Commerce & Chill, Jessica and Waleed discuss business continuity plans, how to lead your business through hard times, and how to identify and manage risks, threats, opportunities, and obstacles for your business! Tune in for a lesson about continuity and keep on keepin' on!

► Episode Highlights:

EP 66

00:00 - Preview

00: 28 - Quick Recap

01:51 - What Is A Business Continuity Plan

05:33 - How Do We Keep Our Business A Float 

08:23 - Defining Continuity 

10:47 - Waleed, Do You Have A Business Continuity Plan?

11:59 - Jessica’s 5 Tips On Creating A Business Continuity Plan

17:42 - Waleed, How Do You Run Your Business Without A Business Continuity Plan?

19:29 - How Do You Protect Your Business From Disasters 

23:48 - Jessica’s Closing Thoughts

26:53 - Waleed’s Closing Thoughts 

28:31 - Email Us To Be A Guest On Our Show: [email protected] 

► Listen to the full session on the Commerce and Chill podcast: 

https://anchor.fm/commerce-and-chill​​​​

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► Follow Us Online Here:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/waleedcee

Instagram: http://instagram.com/jessicajohnsoncope

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waleedcope/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msjessicajohnson/

Website: https://www.commerceandchill.com/

The Give Back | How To Give Back To Your Community In Meaningful Ways

In this episode of Commerce and Chill, Jessica and Waleed discuss the act of giving back to the community as an individual and as a small business owner. The pair talk about a recent charity event supported by The Soap Box and a handful of other community partners and also talk about the benefits of doing good for the community beyond a potential monetary return. Tune in for a lesson on generosity in business! You'll be glad you did.

► Episode Highlights:

EP 65 

00:00 - Preview 

00:23 - Goldman Sachs and The Gift Shop BK

Shout out to Tywan and Shani

04:58 - What’s In It For The Soap Box?

07:40 - How Does This Effect The Business of The Soap Box Economically? 

12:57 - Community Focus and Giving 

17:19 - How Does The Soap Box Give Back

19:31 - How Can You Connect With Organizations In Your Community

24:50 - What’s In It For Johnson Security?

27:48 - Closing Thoughts

28:37 - Email Us To Be A Guest On Our Show: [email protected] 

► Listen to the full session on the Commerce and Chill podcast: 

https://anchor.fm/commerce-and-chill​​​

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► Follow Us Online Here:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/waleedcee​​​

Instagram: http://instagram.com/jessicajohnsonco...​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waleedcop...​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msjessica​​​...

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/commerce-and-chill​​​

Website: https://www.commerceandchill.com/

In this episode of Commerce and Chill, Jessica and Waleed discuss the process of maintaining and prioritizing diversity in the workplace, how to maintain equitable hiring practices, and the use of Diversity departments, task forces, and representatives to maintain and/or promote diversity inn corporate spaces. They discuss the benefits of having individuals from diverse backgrounds and also diversity of thought, and why this is great for business. Tune in for a lesson on equitable thinking and equitable action!

► Episode Highlights:

EP 64

00:00 - Preview 

00:27 - Thoughts On The Practice Of Hiring Diverse People 

05:25 - Diversity In Our Schools 

08:35 - Diversity In Our Corporations 

13:42 - Our Online Recruiting Experiences 

16:25 - Growing A Business Part 2

18:30 - Ms. Sampong Shout Out

20:22 - Jessica’s Business Diversity Efforts 

22:50 - Waleed’s Thoughts On Different Educational Backgrounds

► Listen to the full session on the Commerce and Chill podcast: 

https://anchor.fm/commerce-and-chill​​​

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► Follow Us Online Here:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/waleedcee​​​

Instagram: http://instagram.com/jessicajohnsonco...​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waleedcop...​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msjessica​​​...

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/commerce-and-chill​​​

Website: https://www.commerceandchill.com/

In this episode of Commerce and Chill, Jessica and Waleed discuss the realities of billing and getting paid as a small business. As the proprietors of two service-based businesses, the pair discuss the process of getting paid in arrears and how business owners can make sure their billing processes are as tight as can be to keep the money flowing in! Tune in for a quick lesson on billing, and welcome some bills into your business in the form of dollar bills! How about that?!

► Episode Highlights:

EP 63:

00:00 - Preview 

00:29 - Intro 

03:54 - Let’s Talk About Accounts Receivable 

06:41 - What Should The Billing Process Be? 

09:03 - Why Is It Important To Have A Billing Proces? 

11:59 - How Can You Get It Right? 

13:06 - Waleed’s Common Challenges 

18:51 - What Can Clients Do Better?

22:11 - Cash Flow

26:18 - Jessica’s Closing Thoughts 

28:05 - Waleed’s Closing Thoughts 

28:41 - Credits  

► Listen to the full session on the Commerce and Chill podcast: 

https://anchor.fm/commerce-and-chill​​​

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► Follow Us Online Here:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/waleedcee​​​

Instagram: http://instagram.com/jessicajohnsonco...​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waleedcop...​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msjessica​​​...

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/commerce-and-chill​​​

Website: https://www.commerceandchill.com/

In this episode of Commerce and Chill, Jessica and Waleed discuss the realities of running a woman-led business and how being a women-owned and led business impacts business owners. They also share tips and resources for women in business and highlight the successes of women in and around their world. Tune in and also go support a woman in business in your world today!

► Episode Highlights:

EP 62: 

00:00 - Preview 

00:33 - Intro 

03:57 - How Jessica Became The Security Lady

07:22 - What Are Some Of The Challenges For Jessica?

10:44 - What Are Some Of The Challenges For Waleed?

14:35 - Is There A Bias With Men In Business? 

16:34 - Resources for Women Lead Businesses 

www.sba.gov

www.score.org

www.wibo.works

https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000women/

https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/entrepreneurship/

http://www.toryburchfoundation.org/

https://www.wbenc.org/
20:27 - Being A Woman In A Male Dominated Industry 

23:35 - Does Waleed Take A Backseat To Jessica? 

25:54 - Final Thoughts 

28:38 - Credits 

► Listen to the full session on the Commerce and Chill podcast: 

https://anchor.fm/commerce-and-chill

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► Follow Us Online Here:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/waleedcee

Instagram: http://instagram.com/jessicajohnsonco...

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waleedcop...

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msjessica

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/commerce-and-chill

Website: https://www.commerceandchill.com/